What is the operational definition of tight budget? No more than ___. I love Champagne with smoked salmon. On a "tight budget," I think you'd be very happy with Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne -- they make a rose and non-rose. I've found it for around $10 on sale in the past. Non-sale may be as high as $15, but you may find it for less.

I think Cremant de Bourgogne is an excellent way to sneak in "Champagne" on a budget. Maybe we could start with that and have the foie gras second. In fact I think that's the normal sequence Thinking, thinking . . . .

BTW there's an inexp mousseux down here called Blanquette de Limoux, but it's made from Mauzac and has an odd flavor that does not please me.

I'd liked both those excellent ideas too, but one step at a time with this crowd. We got an award-winning vin doux (Rivesaltes Ambré) which I poured at the tables with the foie gras and a vin de pays d'Oc Sauvignon for the smoked salmon. The vin doux was a major improvement and well-received.

We'll see if we can change the sequence next year, but this order of courses is close to engraved in stone for a French Xmas dinner. We had everything except the oysters.

I'd be happy to pour more quality wines individually next year as opposed to leaving bottles on the tables.